Ashley’s Law Allows Illinois Students to Use Medical Marijuana at School

Ashley’s Law was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner in August. School-aged children that are on the state’s medical marijuana registry will now be able to have their medicine while at school. At last count, there were 305 medical marijuana patients under age 18 in the state.

Ashley Surin, the bill’s namesake, worked hard over her summer break to bring attention to this law so that she could have access to her medicine while at school, CBS Chicago reports. She said, “I made a law.”

The medical marijuana will be allowed on school grounds in edible, pump or patch form. The dose must be given under parental supervision or that of a caregiver or guardian.

Jim Surin, Ashley’s dad, said, “Ashley, like any other kid in the state of Illinois, wants to be a kid. She wants to see her classmates. She wants to see her friends from school. She wants to see her teachers.”

Maureen Surin, Ashley’s mother, said, “Twenty-four/seven, we would have to really shadow her, and spot her, be next to her and hold her; or she would have random drop seizures, breakthroughs; head drops and blinking episodes.”

The Surins filed a lawsuit in court against the school district to allow their daughter access to her medical marijuana on campus.

Maureen said, “It wasn’t us against them. It was the team against the law.”

District 54 Superintendent Andrew DuRoss told school officials that medical marijuana should be treated no different than any other medication a student may need.

DuRoss said, “At its core, it’s what’s in Ashley’s best interests.”

Ashley uses a couple different CBD products throughout the day – patches and oil.

Maureen said, “She can wake up, and have a normal day, and play with friends, and go places.”